4 days in Scotland

[Sam]

Day 1 - Wed 27th Oct

Right, following lots of good advice on here, a close watch on the weather forecasts, and a bit of a prod from Wolfie, we set off for four days in Scotland, to try out the new Givi luggage, and our ability to manage to tour on the bike.

Mother-in-law had been drafted in to look after the house, boy and animals, and she was a bit taken aback that we were planning to go by bike, but she waved us off! We headed straight up the M74, trying to keep ahead of the gale force winds which were forecast. The services at Happendon are very clean, seem well run, and are a good stopping off point before tackling Glasgow, or the A80 past Cumbernauld (horrible road) which is the way we went. Once you see Stirling Castle (amazing building) over to the right, the road and scenery just get better and better. The first bit of the A85 north through Callender is not that fast, cos there's always slow traffic about, but once you hit the A85, and then the A82, there's plenty of opportunities to get away from the slow stuff.

After another stop at The Green Welly at Tyndrum (they even have a bucket of visor wash in the bike park!), we headed up across the awesome Rannoch Moor and into Glencoe, which never fails to impress, and particularly so going through for the first time on a bike.

We arrived at the hotel in the late afternoon, and encountered my first bit of (almost) prejudice. The young girl on Reception looked momentarily taken aback that a biker should be trying to book in, but when I told her we had a booking, she recovered quickly, and we were made very welcome.

There was no undercover parking for the bike, and I was worried about the gales, but I found a sheltered corner to back it into, out of sight of the road, and well out of the elements, and it was very safe. The hotel is right on the edge of Loch Linnhe, about 15 miles south of Fort William, and is a converted railway station building. It's warm, comfortable and the food is great, but it's not cheap. We stayed for one night at Easter for a special occasion, but they sent us an Autumn Offer (3 nights for the price of 2), which brought it more into the reasonable category, and which we couldn't resist.

So far, so good ..... going on the Bird was a great success.

 

[Wolfie]

i never prodded!!!

I just told you what you already wanted to do. :bow: :bow:

glad you enjoyed. :yo: :yo:

 

[Sam]

Day 2

The gales through the night were not as severe as forecast, but my first thought was about the Bird, so I leapt out of bed as soon as I woke, to check. It was fine.

After a very full breakfast, we kitted up and decided to head across the Corran ferry towards Ardnamurchan - one of our favourite places. We've been over the ferry loads of times, but never on a bike, so I was a bit apprehensive about getting on and off on the slippery ramps, and about keeping the bike upright on the crossing. As it turned out, it couldn't have been easier or better - and it was cheap compared to cars (only ?1.50).

We headed west on the A861 towards Strontian on a wonderful road, but when the road becomes single track with passing places, and even though the average speed needs to drop to about 25mph, the sheep/timber lorries/tourist camper vans/etc still give good reason to practice e.stops every so often!

We turned north at Salen and stopped for a drink and bite to eat at a tiny cafe at Acharacle, before heading for Castle Tioram - an impressive ruined fortress on a tiny island, and well worth the walk across when the tide's out. The autumn colours were tremendous. Being on the bike made them seem more real, somehow, and the light rain which kept coming and going didn't spoil the enjoyment.

The way back was north through more stunning scenery to the A830 at Lochailort, and then east to Fort William, on what can be a very fast, interesting road (The Road to the Isles), but it was now a very damp autumn day, so I kept the speed down to within sight of the NSL. We stopped in FW - the so-called out-door capital of Scotland, for fuel etc, and got back to the hotel just after dark. The staff were very good about taking our wet jackets, trousers and gloves away to the boiler room to dry overnight.

Even though we got wet this afternoon, there were still no regrets about coming on the bike.

 

[Sam]

Day 3

The big one. Going up to Skye today, and the weather was much better.

The A82 north of FW is a well-known tourist route, and the commando memorial at Spean Bridge is worth a visit if you've never been before, but we pressed on, only stopping for a breather at the viewpoint above Glen Garry on the A87. The road from there on goes through a very remote area. It's as well to have a full tank before setting off! You get back to houses at Shiel Bridge, and as you head for Kyle of Lochalsh, it begins to feel positively civilised, until you go round a corner and see Eilean Donan castle, which abruptly reminds you of Scotland's turbulent history. It's possible to see the Cuillins on Skye from here, too.

We decided to go straight over the bridge, and look in Kyleakin for something to eat and drink. We found Harry's, on the road that used to lead to the ferry - and it was excellent. Very friendly small cafe. A warm scotch pie I couldn't resist, good coffee, and a large slab of hot chocolate fudge cake with cream and ice cream, should see us through to dinner - and it was mild enough to sit outside to eat and admire the view.

The Skye Bridge has been and still is controversial. Some think it looks like a sore thumb, but I like it. The clean, uncluttered lines don't detract from all the natural beauty in my opinion...but the real issue still is the question of tolls, and the injustice of having to pay both ways. (?2.40 each way for the bike). It's maybe not as romantic to go 'Over the Sea to Skye' on a bridge, but it's a lot more convenient than the ferries used to be.

We didn't have time to explore much of Skye this time - it was enough that we got there, and so we reluctantly headed back after the break, calling round at Plockton, then heading east to Stromeferry on a tiny, twisty, but very scenic single-track road, and then south on the A890 to rejoin the A87 at Auchtertyre. We did a brief de-tour from Shiel Bridge up Mam Ratagan, on the road to Glenelg, just to tackle the s-bends, which are very tight, and very steep - and to get another photo opportunity, of course!

The run back to Invergarry didn't seem to take as long as on the way out, but the last few miles down the A82 to FW and beyond were quite slow. The road was busy, it was dark, and we were quite tired. However, it was an excellent day, which we thoroughly enjoyed.

 

[Sam]

Day 4

Time to head for home, but we're going to make it a scenic trip and the weather is fantastic ... blue sky, warm ... better than summer cos there's no midges!

We headed south towards Oban, stopping at the impressive new restaurant and view point overlooking Castle Stalker, but I'd run out of space on the camera and hadn't thought to take another disc, stupidly. We then headed east on the A85 after crossing the bridge at Connel. Instead of continuing to Tyndrum, we headed south on the A819 to Inverary, going over the Rest and Be Thankful on the A83 to Arrochar. Great biking roads...and we saw the first bikes on our four days, along there. I also got shot by a cop with a speed gun as we dropped down towards Loch Lomond - I was doing 31 in a 30, but he dropped the gun, nodded at me and turned away to chat to his colleague rather than get my number plate, so that was ok.

We stopped at Duck Bay Marina, just to take in the view, and then cut across the top of Glasgow on the A82 before heading south again on the M74. We stopped and had a meal at the Abington services, which were more than adequate, and got home well after dark, tired, but very pleased with ourselves for completing the trip successfully, and delighted with the Bird for making it all so easy. Would we do it again? Definitely. Can't wait!

The worst bit of the whole thing has been dealing with the pics (thanks for the help Richard!) I hope you think they were worth it, Clive!!

 

[roXXo]

Sam

Pleased you had a good trip. Good piccies..
It's a fantastic feeling isn't it. The first time Carol and I took the Bird to France we just wanted to tell everyone one about it.
:beer:

 

[Quiney]

Absolutely brilliant Sam

It has made me even more determined to 'do' Scotland myself next year. :lick:

 

[AV8TOR]

A80 @ Cumbernauld is a 1st class bit of road :bow:
Apart from...................
They are always working on it,
The road surface is badly worn with groves,
The fact that its the main route from M74 to the North,
The fact that its the main route Glasgow : Stirling
The fact that they are doing major work @ Achenkillens ( Ock-in-kell-hens ),
The fact that it should now be the M80 with hardshoulder & lights,

APART FROM THAT

From Castlecary Arches : the Achenkillens roundabout & the Ramp @ the M74
its not bad,
I say not bad, but do not all rush up hear at once to try it, as you could put a pin anywhere in a map of the UK blind fold & beat it hands down.
Cumbernauld is my home town & even I dont use this road.

Apart from all this what a cool part of the world I live in, Scotland my favourite place.

Sam you looked like you still had a ball,
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Do Come Again w;;v :bow:

 

[chuck]

good on you

As I said in my 'Advice' keep warm, dry (inside waterproofs) and go for it. You did. well done. nice pics. I love autumn /winter riding (Not snow ice). :yo:

 

[bitontheside]

Sam

One word - jealous!

I haven't been to Scotland since August and have withdrawl symptons! :cry: